Former Harper chief of staff Nigel Wright dies at 62

OTTAWA — Nigel Wright, who served as chief of staff to former prime minister Stephen Harper, has died at 62, according to Onex Corporation, where he worked for most of his adult life.

Wright worked for Harper from 2010 to 2013 and found himself ensnared in a Senate expense scandal when it was revealed that he had personally given $90,000 to Mike Duffy, a Conservative senator at the time, to reimburse the treasury for money he had claimed in housing expenses that were under scrutiny.

Harper said that he and wife Laureen were “shocked and heartbroken” to learn of Wright’s “sudden passing” in a social media post.

“A unique and deeply accomplished person, Nigel combined intellectual acumen with incredible capacity for work,” wrote Harper.

Harper said that Wright was “truly a special person whom we have lost far too soon.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney added his own tribute on Tuesday evening, calling Wright a “widely respected business leader and builder with a lifelong commitment to public service and community leadership.”

The news of Wright’s passing was first made public in a Tuesday news release from Onex.

“Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our cherished colleague and friend, Nigel. He was the consummate gentleman who set the standard for professionalism,” wrote Onex President and CEO Bobby Le Blanc in the statement.

The company did not specify a cause of death, and multiple calls to Onex’s media relations team went unanswered.

Tributes to Wright were quick to pour in on social media.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre called Wright a “principled and honourable man who was dedicated to Canada and to public service, and who made a lasting contribution to our country.”

Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said that Wright made a positive and lasting impression on her early on in her career.

“I first knew Nigel when we were young lawyers. He was intelligent, kind and a consummate professional. I have nothing but the highest respect for him and am saddened to hear that he is no longer with us,” wrote Anand.

Several of those to leave tributes were fellow Harper government alumni.

Ian Brodie, also an ex-Harper chief of staff, said he was “very saddened” by Wright’s passing.

“In addition to his business and investment acumen, Nigel had a long life of public service and I remember all my times working with him with great fondness,” reflected Brodie.

Harper-era policy advisor Ken Boessenkool called Wright’s passing “a stunning and massive loss.”

“Nigel Wright was one of Canada’s most selfless individuals. He contributed mightily to Candian conservatism, mostly quietly, always modestly,” wrote Boessenkool

Former Harper spokesman Dimitri Soudas said that Wright was the “hardest-working person” he’d ever known.

“(F)irst one in, last one out … His sharp mind and unwavering dedication left a mark on all of us who had the privilege to work alongside him,” wrote Soudas.

Former Liberal MP Omar Alghabra called Wright’s passing “really sad” and offered condolences to his family.

Brian Dijkema, head of public policy think tank Cardus, said that Wright was “self-giving to a fault” and lauded him for “using his time for the common good.”

 

National Post

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